January 28, 2014

bran muffins

Happy New Year!

Twenty-eight days late.

Happy New Year plus 28!

I have a fairly healthy (no cream cheese - don't be shocked) recipe to share today, but I'm guessing there's a good chance I've missed the healthy eating window that is early January, and everyone has already fallen off the healthy eating wagon.

But just in case, I'm going to share anyway.

My bff made these for me while I was visiting in November, and I've had one for breakfast almost every morning since.

They are moist and delicious, and packed with lots of goodies that help you start your day off right.

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups, or line with paper cupcake liners.
Cover raisins with water in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for 1 minute to plump. Drain the raisins, and set aside.
Beat the egg with milk in a bowl, and mix in the bran cereal. Let the mixture stand until the cereal absorbs the liquid, about 5 minutes.
Gently mix in the plumped raisins, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, melted butter, shredded apple, mashed banana, coconut, pecans and honey, and stir a few times to mix.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, (I use a large ice cream scoop and its the perfect size to fill each muffin cup) and bake in the preheated oven for about 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Mine usually take 22-23 minutes.

I doubled the recipe last time I made them and they turned out perfectly. I wrap them well and freeze them and pull one out every night for the next morning's breakfast.

In other news, it's been especially quiet on the farm lately, which is exactly how I like it. I've been doing exciting things like watching my hair grow, and tweezing the large number of eyebrows that apparently forgot where they're supposed to live. Seriously. Eyebrows inches away from their eyebrow home.

But I'm not complaining.

....or am I?

Dear Eyebrows,
I love you. And I missed you terribly while you were gone. I'm so very happy that you are back, but I do feel that it might be time to set some boundaries. You've had your fun, but from here on out, please confine your activities to your former stomping ground.
Very truly yours,
Teresa

Other than that, I'm obsessing over Downton Abby, like much of the rest of the world, trying to get a few projects done before Spring arrives, and feeling bad for those of you stuck in the Winter Storm of 2014.

33 comments:

Teresa, Good to see your post. Darn eyebrows huh? The muffins look wonderful. Enjoy the quiet while you can. I am currently in Mexico getting alternative treatments. i am here for a whole month. Blessings to you! Dani

So happy to see a blog post from you today! I've missed them! I will definitely try the bran muffin recipe and no I'm still on the get healthy band wagon. Let's see that hair girlfriend! I feel like mine is in the ugly stage; I look like a boy, can't wait for the cute pixie look.

Thanks for the recipe! I keep all Meadowbrook recipes and try them too! Happy plucking those in the wrong places . . . thrilled that is happening though.Thank you also for the beautiful aqua light turquoise . . .Happy Twenty Fourteen . . .

Hi there, Teresa - it is so nice to meet you! I found your blog via Brenda of Color My Decor/Cozy Little House. I've only seen what Brenda posted and your first post here about bran muffins, but I know I'm going to love your blog (and you!) just from what I've seen and read already. I'll be adding your blog to my list of favorite blogs on my blog roll. I'd love for you to come over and visit me as well! I look forward to getting to know you better. Oh, and I wanted to tell you that if you don't want to use butter in the bran muffin recipe, you can substitute organic coconut oil.

Darn I should have had my Momma make me these before she went back home tonight. Those look YUMMY! :) We miss you and as soon as I can get a game plan over here I can send you some dates. Have a good weekend and stay warm!XO,M

I'm so happy to have found your blog through Brenda! I have a feeling I am going to be making a lot of your recipes...these muffins look like the right way to start the day!

I've fallen in love with your farm and home and garden and well, everything! I can't wait to visit again! :)

I also want to say that it sounds like you have a wonderful mindset with the challenges life has thrown your way. I love the "eyebrow letter"!! Keep that up (the attitude, and yeah, the tweezing, too)! They are stubborn little buggers.

Thanks for the recipe! They look YUMMY. Had a stent put in recently and these look pretty heart healthy. Going to make them tomorrow. Hope you are feeling good. Will you start zinnias in the greenhouse again this spring? Again, thanks for sharing. karen fr/ NE

I miss your posts. It has been a long, cold, lonely winter. I'm thinking you are worn from the stress and the gloomy days. Wish I could send a bright bouquet to you and add a little color to your day. It has warmed on this side of the divide today; I have a tree full of Cedar waxwings chirping and flitting about. Sounds so lovely! Sending instant Karma, with loving care.

Thank you for a great recipe. I've just made them and they are beautiful. Next time I will try substituting Greek yogurt for the butter.I too am a breast cancer survivor, 2 1/2 years out of my treatment, so halfway to that 5 year mark.. I had surgery, chemo and radiation. I just want to encourage you to continue to be kind to yourself. It may take a little longer than what you think it should to rebound back from the chemo, but be patient. I have said a prayer for you, for every cancer cell to be eradicated from your body. From mine too :)Beautiful blog!